Understanding Fertility Treatment Costs

While assisted reproductive technology is remarkable in that it allows many people to have the family they’ve always dreamed of, it’s no secret that it is expensive. The costs of procedures, testing and medication can quickly add up and make your goals feel out of reach.

If your insurance plan doesn’t cover fertility treatment, know that there are grants, loans, payment plans and other financial assistance programs to help you afford in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or other fertility treatments out-of-pocket. 

Learn more about paying for IVF without insurance here.

The short answer is that fertility treatment cost varies due to factors like mandates for fertility coverage that vary from state to state, the coverage (or lack of coverage) offered by your personal insurance plan, your treatment path and more.

The lure of less expensive fertility treatment is inescapable. The medicine and support involved in making fertility treatment real and viable, however, is costly. Be aware that clinics that cut corners to reduce costs may not offer the level of treatment and results you may be expecting. 

If you choose to consider a “low-cost IVF” clinic, ask about which services are included in their “final” pricing, and what they typically charge for them. Also make sure you ask whether their quoted charge includes necessary procedures such as:

• Initial baseline blood work and ultrasound to start your cycle
• As many in-cycle monitoring appointments as your cycle requires (blood work and ultrasounds during morning monitoring hours)
• All laboratory procedures - some clinics send their work out to nearby labs, while comprehensive clinics have labs within their facilities

Learn more about the risks of choosing a “low-cost IVF” clinic here. 

When you become an Illume Fertility patient, you will be assigned an Insurance & Billing Advocate who can provide expert answers to your insurance and pricing-related questions. We also offer a range of Opportunity Plans to help make treatment more affordable for those paying out-of-pocket. 

There are many organizations that offer grants and other financial assistance to those who cannot afford fertility treatment on their own. Learn more here.   

This is the time period each year where you can enroll, change, or drop your health insurance plans for the upcoming year (whether it’s Medicare, employer-based, or the health marketplace). The open enrollment period typically lasts from November 1 to December 15 in most states. 

Learn more about open enrollment and what you can do to maximize or change your insurance plan here.